Welcome to "Stay Strong" - a site devoted to sharing and inspiring "Strength" in others and in ourselves! Strength of Spirit, Strength of Mind, Strength of Soul and Strength of Body! PLEASE pass this site onto others in need of Strength and Inspiration!

David—who was both a mighty warrior and a gifted poet—expressed fearfulness, trembling, and even overwhelming horror in one of his psalms.

Yet his trust in Me was genuine and deep.

His life and his writing demonstrate that fear does not "trump" trust:

They can coexist.

This is why David could proclaim,

"When I am afraid, I will trust in You."

Trust is a relational word.

It's one of the prime ways you can draw near Me.

When you are afraid, don't blame yourself for having that very human emotion.

Instead, acknowledge what you are feeling; then affirm your trust in Me—out loud or in a whisper.

This affirmation protects you from the lie that feeling fearful means you don't trust Me.

Even better, it brings you consciously into My Presence, where you can find comfort and hope.

The Light of My Presence illuminates the vast dimensions of My Love for you—empowering you to grasp how wide and long and high and deep My Love is, and to know this Love that surpasses knowledge.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." DEUTERONOMY 31:8

"Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me." PSALM 55:5 NKJV

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you." PSALM 56:3

"[I pray that you] may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." EPHESIANS 3:18–19

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

When you bump into massive difficulties on your life-path, I want you to consider it pure Joy.

As you bounce off these "impossibilities," My everlasting arms are wide open—ready to catch you, calm you, and help you do what does not seem possible.

You can be joyful in the midst of perplexing problems because I am God your Savior.

I have already accomplished the greatest miracle—saving you from your sins.

If you keep looking to Me, your resurrected Lord and King, your pessimism will eventually yield to courage.

Though you are an earthbound creature in many ways, your soul shares in My eternal victory.

Since I am infinite, "impossibilities" are My specialty.

I delight in them because they display My Glory so vividly.

They also help you live the way I intended: in joyful, trusting dependence on Me.

The next time you face an "impossible" situation, turn to Me immediately with a hopeful heart.

Acknowledge your total inadequacy, and cling to Me—relying on My infinite sufficiency.

All things are possible with Me!

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." MATTHEW 19:26

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. JAMES 1:2–3

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." DEUTERONOMY 33:27 NKJV

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." HABAKKUK 3:17–18

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

This is simple, straightforward teaching, but My followers rarely make it through even one day without breaking this command.

It's good that you recognize your inability to live according to this instruction.

Your ongoing struggle protects you from self-righteous striving: trying to be good enough to deserve My Love.

Nonetheless, I do want to help you with your tendency to worry.

Because your mind is in a fallen condition, it will sometimes wander across the timeline into tomorrow's trouble.

However, early intervention can minimize the damage.

As soon as you realize you're worrying about tomorrow, take action: Simply leave those thoughts where they are (in the unreality of the future), and come quickly back to the present.

Since the future has such a strong pull on your mind, it's helpful to direct your thoughts to something that appeals to you in the present—an interesting activity, beautiful weather, a dear friend or family member.

At times when nothing about the present day seems appealing, My Presence lovingly awaits your attention.

I am always near, so turning your thoughts to Me is an excellent option at all times.

Come into My joyous Presence, and I will delight you with unmerited Love.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. MATTHEW 6:34 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. EPHESIANS 2:4–5 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. HEBREWS 3:1 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. PSALM 43:4

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

So take heart: Though the journey you're on is one of faltering steps, such steps of dependence are links to My Presence.

Today you feel the journey more than usual.

It's a challenge to take the next step—and all too easy to be aware of your neediness.

Sometimes you get discouraged about your ongoing weaknesses.

You know that dependence on Me brings spiritual blessings, yet at times you feel trapped by your limitations.

Only the knowledge that I am with you keeps you out of the pit of despair.

Awareness of your need for Me is what creates a strong connection to My Presence.

My Power flows into you continually: It gives you strength to take the next step, strength to resist discouragement and despairing, strength to know Me in intimate dependence.

Only My Power can enable you to live abundantly in the midst of your limitations.

Your day-to-day perseverance, in dependence on Me, is every bit as supernatural as an outright miracle.

So don't think that your difficulties signify lack of faith or lack of blessing.

They are means to help you stay on the path I have chosen for you.

Because you are My beloved child, I choose to bless you, but I bless you in ways that are unique to your needs and My design for you.

Though the way before you may be steep and rocky, it is nonetheless the path of Life.

It is where you encounter My luminous Presence—radiating Peace that transcends all understanding.

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." HABAKKUK 3:17–19

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." JUDE 1:24–25

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." PHILIPPIANS 4:7

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

TRUST IN ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND MIND, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.

In all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your path straight.

Such complete and utter confidence in Me has been your goal for years, but you continue to struggle with this.

The main culprit is your mind's ravenous appetite for understanding, fueled by a strong desire to feel in control of your life.

You want to trust Me wholeheartedly, but you feel stuck.

Beloved, your desire to rely on Me wholly is a worthy goal.

Now also believe that I am providing training through your life experiences, and that many of the difficulties you encounter are designed to help in this endeavor.

Allow Me to do this supernatural work in your heart.

The Holy Spirit will help you think trusting thoughts, but He requires your cooperation.

Instead of relying on your understanding to help you feel in control, ask My Spirit to control your mind.

Then, wait confidently to see results.

As you look to Me—trusting Me, talking with Me—I straighten out the path before you.

From "Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!!!

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." PROVERBS 3:5–6 AMP

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." PSALM 37:5 NKJV

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." ROMANS 8:6

Friday, March 11, 2016

I know the full extent of your weaknesses, and I realize that seeking Me wholeheartedly requires massive, sustained effort.

I understand the brokenness within you and all around you.

You are easily distracted by this disjointed world and by your restless thoughts.

I don't expect perfection in your pursuit of Me; it's not about that at all.

It is the effort itself that pleases Me—seeking Me even though it's so hard.

Moreover, the strenuousness of this pursuit blesses you!

As you strive to find Me in your moments, your focus is on Me.

While you plow your way toward Me through countless distractions, your awareness of Me increases.

Even if you don't feel close to Me, you find yourself communicating with Me.

So there is a sense in which your efforts to find Me are self-fulfilling: I am richly present in your striving.

As a result, you feel more alive— more solid and real—when you are actively pursuing Me.

Your willingness to pour yourself into this quest delights My heart.

This challenging journey is all about perseverance.

As long as you continue seeking Me, you are on the right path.

My Presence continually moves along before you—keeping you from stagnating and showing you the way forward.

In spite of the difficulties of the arduous trail you are following, your success is certain: I will be found by you!

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord . . . JEREMIAH 29:13–14

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. HEBREWS 12:1

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance . . . ROMANS 5:3 NKJV

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness . . . 2 PETER 1:5–6

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

I CAN FIT EVERYTHING INTO MY MAJESTIC PLAN FOR GOOD, INCLUDING THE THINGS YOU WISH WERE DIFFERENT.

How you long to see that all-embracing pattern, even though you can't begin to imagine it—and wouldn't understand it even if I showed you!

Your current situation feels like a gigantic mistake to you— something you should have been able to prevent.

I urge you not to indulge in obsessing about what you could have done differently, for that is an exercise in unreality:

The past cannot be different from what has actually occurred.

I want to help you make a new beginning instead, starting right where you are.

NOW is the only place to begin anew: It's the unique intersection of time and space you currently inhabit, and it's the space-time location where I intend for you to live.

Some things—many things—may be beyond you, but you are capable of living joyfully in the present.

After all, you are communicating with Me, your Savior and Lord, this very moment.

You can also handle the next moment as it comes—and the next.

What you find most difficult to accept is the way the future looks to you: basing your predictions on current circumstances.

But the future is one of those secret things beyond your domain.

Release it to Me, the rightful Owner.

Refuse to worry about the future, and you will find your resources for today quite sufficient.

Remember that I am part of those resources, and nothing is impossible with Me!

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." ROMANS 8:28 AMP

"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow the words of this law." DEUTERONOMY 29:29

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." —John 8: 12 NKJV

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." —John 16: 33

"And you, [John the Baptist], will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways. . . . [in order for Jesus] to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." —Luke 1: 76, 79 NKJV

Saturday, March 5, 2016

No matter what may happen, I am sufficient to provide whatever you need.

Instead of imagining how you might respond to terrible things that could happen, draw your mind back to the present and take refuge in My Presence.

I am much like a mother hen, eager to cover you with My protective pinions.

As you snuggle under My wings, you will not only find refuge; you will also discover a growing ability to trust Me.

It is in closeness to Me that you realize how trustworthy I am.

Remember that I am both your Rock and your Redeemer.

Though I am impregnable in My vast strength, I became a vulnerable Man so I could redeem you from your sins.

The more you take refuge in Me, the more aware you become of My overflowing Love.

In Me you are utterly safe, for I am your Rock of everlasting Love!

From " Jesus Lives " by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." PSALM 46:1–2

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" MATTHEW 23:37 NKJV

"[Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler." PSALM 91:4 AMP

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." PSALM 19:14

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

NO MATTER WHAT HARDSHIPS THE WORLD MAY THROW AT YOU, YOU HAVE—IN ME— EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE.

Despair is a deep pit, and sometimes you totter around its edges, precariously close to falling in.

Your only hope at such times is to fix your eyes on Me.

The more perplexed you are—bewildered by complex circumstances—the easier it is to lose your balance.

To keep from falling, you must change your focus: from your circumstances to My Presence.

This requires strenuous effort on your part, because you have not fully accepted the limitations of your mind.

Your natural tendency is to keep thinking about a difficult situation ad nauseam—trying to figure it out.

However, I am always nearby, eager to help you change your focus time after time.

Though you may be hard pressed on every side , you need not be crushed by your difficulties.

You are not alone in your battles because I will never, ever abandon you.

Even if you are struck down by a fatal blow, you will not be destroyed.

I am the Shepherd and Guardian of your soul—the part of you that is indestructible.

I give you eternal Life, and you will never perish.

No one can snatch you out of My hand!

From "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young

Stay Strong!

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. - 2 CORINTHIANS 4:8

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - HEBREWS 12:2

For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. - 1 PETER 2:25 NASB

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. - JOHN 10:28

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These ten great inspirational sayings about life come from diverse cultures and times. These sayings of inspiration represent the thread of enlightenment and compassion that has always run through the greatest among us, and are, to me, the best of the best.

This above all, to thine own self be true.- William Shakespeare

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.- Confucius

Happiness depends upon ourselves.- Aristotle

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.- Lao Tsu

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.- Chief Seattle

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.- Rabindranath Tagore

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.- St Francis of Assisi

There are no facts, only interpretations.- Friedrich Nietzsche

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.- Albert Einstein

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.- George Bernard Shaw

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.- Joseph Campbell

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.- Joseph Campbell

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.- Helen Keller

Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.- Helen Keller

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.- Helen Keller

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. - Anonymous

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.- Confucius

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.- Marie Curie

Life is a long lesson in humility.- James M. Barrie

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.- William James

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.- John Lennon

No one knows what he can do until he tries.- Publilius Syrus

As we light a path for others, we naturally light our own way.- Mary Anne Radmacher

There are no facts, only interpretations.- Friedrich Nietzsche

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.- Rabindranath Tagore

To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.- Theodore H. White

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... It's about learning how to dance in the rain.- Vivian Green

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for that part of me you bring out.- Roy Croft

I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the Spirit.- Kahlil Gibran

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where there is great love there are always miracles.- Willa Cather

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love.- St. Francis of Assisi